Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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519. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding bangers on tillage farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22722/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Current legislation in the area of noise does not specifically address the use of bird scarers (also referred to as crow bangers), and I have no plans to introduce such legislation.  There is provision, however, under sections 107 or 108 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 to deal with the issue of nuisance noise from a range of sources, including agricultural sources.

My Department has produced an information leaflet, A Guide to the Noise Regulations, on the legal remedies open to a person experiencing nuisance noise.  The guide can be downloaded from the following link:

The legislation also provides that a Local Authority can take action against a person causing nuisance noise.  A National Protocol for Dealing with Noise Complaints for Local Authorities was recently developed as a cooperative project between my Department, Local Authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency.  The Protocol provides guidance to Local Authorities, given existing legislation, as to what is considered best practice for dealing with noise complaints. The protocol can be accessed through the following link:

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